The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-09-13

One day the captain and Barker, with sew
eral of their neighbors, went driving for deer
down in the great Tuckahoo swamp. Barker
was to dine with the ClaggettS on their return.
Lucy sat III the piazza sewing and indulging i'll
pleasing bits Of reverie, during one of which
She prieSed her finger While Squeezing tiny
blood drop from its ivory background, Cheever
walked in, with an air OF having something
important to say.
',Mawning," he said, dropping unlimited into
a chair
Lucy nodded, and just then the tramp APP
peared with bucket of water, which he placed
on the watershed and lounged out, the per-
sonltcation of indolent encouragement. When
out OF sight, however, he slipped into the dark
ened Sttin%-room, and ensconsed himself in n
listening attitude behind the wall against
. which Qheeyer had tilted his chair.
Gap gone on hunt?" asked the latter.
YES, they've all gone, and l was expecting
quiet morning for work, but" Here she
poutcd slightly and rocked her foot impa-
riontly.
"But now I'm here the chance is gone, you'd
say. II I'd been Barker now, work and quiet
might have gone to the devil for all you'd have
"llr. Barker is toomuch of gentleman to-
to-be rude to ladies', - she replied, Indignantly.
Barker gentleman? Don't YOU be too sure
OF that lie pretends to be Of good family, and
all that, yet he's got brothcrwhois common
YaSabond aud probable thief"
IN not believe it ON your word, said Lucy
hotly, while the tramp inside clutched at his
heart and seemed about TO fall, but recovered
and again listened with haggard features and
the hue of q corpse
"Perhaps You won't" returned Cheever.
allowing cruel smile to disfigure his face,
" But Major league, our sheriff, has got a letter
from the peIlice at Barkcr's old home up in
~ sconsin, asking il this mother-Sam Barker
by name-hadn't turned up here. He is
wanted back there forsome crime or other, and
has been known rs o common tramp for years.
Ihey think your Barker, Lucy, secretly helps
him and probably knows where he is"
Lucy looked straight before her, and her
work lay neglected in her lap. Cheeyer watch
ed her, While fierce desires contended with the
bitter thoughts that almost maddened him,
under sense of the dislike with which his
presence inspired her. After long pause he
again spoke, in changed, intensely earnest
tone
Lucy, you have known me for years, and I
! have loved you for years You haint en-
couragcd me much, yet what can fellow do
when he gels so internally wrapped up in
pretty face that he sees no rest, day or night Z?
! might have done better if you'd have shown
me some chance"
Gam [ to blame for your dissolutc habits and
your misspent lfe?" she asked, still gazing
out through the pines.
and now" he continued, ignoring her
question, "alOng comes this fellow Barker,
with his smooth ways and oily tongue, and all
my years of dGvouon-yes, by God, Lucyl
| have loved you for years-alI this, i say, goes
for nothing when lie sets his cursed eyes on
you"
Miss Claggett rose, saying coldly, though in
wardly hot and indignant:
al sliis is useless, sir. My father will be
j isacf By and by. He may put up with your
/ yory dissgresabl ways better Chan l can.
Good morning"
Then she marched straight through the
great hall, dropping her work along the floor,
and so on out into regions near the kitchen.
Cheever sat for moment or two silent and
notionless. Then, Shaping his hat on his head,
he strobe off without word to where he had
left his horse. While mounting the tramp
lOungcd up.
"Mr. Cheever." said the latter, 'I s'pose
you haven't forgot that little confab we had by
the high foot-log ON the day of the picnic?
What ] said then / mean to stand now"
"Who in the HI cares? ] don't"
With this parting shot, Cheeyer rode off.